CLOSED: Ma'at Centre Vegetarian Cafe

This is a recently opened entirely vegan restaurant in Catford. There is a take away option as well as eat in, and I would recommend dining there to experience the warm and comfortable ambience. Food ranges from 'proper' meals to vegetable wraps and patties.

The staff were very friendly and welcoming and service was very pleasant and personal.

I had a delicious raspberry and apple smoothie, which was made using fresh fruit. The staff bought over some delicious spiced bread as a complementary treat. I choose the meal deal which was my choice of a main dish (a grain), a stew/curry, a side of plantain and a salad item all for £5. I chose the spinach rice with ital stew and the pasta salad.

Everything was very tasty and the portion was very generous. The pasta salad in particular was scrumptious!

For dessert I was offered a sweet potato pudding that wasn't on the menu and was absolutely delightful. It came with a generous two scoops of ice cream.

I finished with the sorrel drink which was also extremely tasty.

There was nothing negative about the experience, and the bill came to only £11 for a meal, a dessert and two drinks. I would recommend this to vegetarians, vegans and meat-eaters alike.

This restaurant is informed by Ma'at, philosophical/ religious ideas from ancient Egyptian philosophy and Ital, food from the Rastafarian movement. There isn't much information on these schools of thought at the restaurant so it has been a bit of detective work on my part to figure out what all the names of things, decorations and such referred to.
The restaurant has a very relaxing and restoring vibe and it seems to catch a breeze. A low coffee table made from the cross section of a tree trunk and a sofa is situated at the front and there are tables behind this.
Patrons seem to be people in the same community that identify with Ma'at/ Ital and some other locals.

When I went a regular meal was made up from a "meal deal" from their menu which would include a base like rice, pasta or roti, a main which is a stew and another savoury dish like yam or sweet potatoes. It was a little bit confusing as the menu lists appetizers and salads some of which can be used in the meal deal but weren't listed a such.
I had soup for starter. For main I had quinoa for base, soya chunks stew and spelt flour dumplings. This was all included as one meal deal. It was quite tasty and their homemade chili sauce is spicy and really good! I had a vegetable and lime juice which they made up out of what was on hand. It was cool and delicious!
On another occasion I had sweet potato pudding which was made with coconut milk. It had just a bit of sweetness which was just right and was moist, dense and big! It was really filling on its own and it is probably the healthiest feeling dessert I have had apart from fruit salad.

It was quite soon after opening that I went so there was a bit of confusion over how the menu worked and to and fro from the kitchen to see what was still available. The woman serving us was pleasant and helpful though.

It came to under ₤10 for dinner and juice which was decent value.

The restaurant also offers/ advertises some therapeutic services and well being courses which also might be Ma'at/ Rastafarian based and sells some Caribbean items such as some spices and oils and their chili sauce!

For fans of Afro-Carribean food, this cafe offers vibrantly coloured and flavoursome vegan dishes, along with a range of smoothies, juices and dairy-free desserts. There's a touch of home cooking about this place, no 'centre' but in fact a warm, welcoming, and peaceful environment for a quick, affordable lunch.

Service is rapid but those with time to talk to the friendly owners will enjoy their hospitality.

There is live jazz to be enjoyed on Saturday evenings, and finally - the fried plantain wrap is excellent.